Do you remember where you were when you first heard Whitney? Do you remember where you were when you first heard Mariah? How about Christina?I do and I will always be able to remember where I was when I first heard Leona Lewis. Seoul, South Korea. Being here I was able to cop a real copy of "Spirit." Now, I'd heard of Leona since I found out that she trounced her competition on the UK's "The X-Factor," Simon Cowell's newer take on Pop Idol, the show that inspired(in Seacrest speak)Uhh...MAIR e can Idol.
Unlike previous X-Factor winners, Lewis wasn't forced to record a record full of cover tracks to drop for Christmas. She, instead, got a whole year to work out what to do and where to go and upon officially signing to Simon's Syco Music, Leona was then taken to New York City to meet the legendary Clive Davis who promplty signed her to J Records and annointed her his new 'it' girl. Clive and Simon exec-produced "Spirit" and brought in some of the most sought after producers and songwriters to work with her.
OneRepublic principal Ryan Tedder and popster/actor Jesse McCartney co-wrote Leona's debut single (and first "Spirit" track) "Bleeding Love." While the ballad is, at times, sweetly subdued and comes off as something that Rihanna would tackle with great aplomb, Lewis manages to showcase the voice, that glorious instrument that 'brought her' to the dance. The lyrics find the narrator so in love that she's, well, doing what the title says. With it's slight nod to "Who's Gonna Take You Home" intro, "Whatever It Takes" has a decidedly early-Whitney feel to it, right down to the Chorus. That's not a bad thing, but this is a path that shouldn't be crossed too much.
The third track on the disc is also the first power ballad. Since Leona has that kind of voice, power ballads are not only expected but they're encouraged. Well, they are as long as they're as good "Homeless" is. Sure there are 'syrup-y' strings, but, again, it's expected. Lyrically the album is darker than one would expect from a diva expected to deliver musical sugarplums. "Bleeding Love," "Homeless," "Take A Bow," and Better In Time" all have sharp lyrical moments. "Homeless," in particular, compares a break up to being like living near a water/oil drum cum fireplace under some elevated roadway.
A pair of Runaways produced tracks appear back-to-back in the form of 'uptempo' (for this record) ballad "Yesterday" and "Take A Bow" Both songs recall Timbaland and when reading the credits, Ryan Tedder seems to have co-produced "Bow." So that influence is obvious. Also obvious is the distinct Mariah-like vocal given by Leona. It's that kind of 'cribbing' that Leona should steer clear of.
Speaking of 'cribbing' or perhaps just pure, unadultrated power balladry done umpteen million times, check out "Here I Am" the song sounds more like a American Idol coronation song than it does a 'show-stopper' but it does show off the strong vocals. Leona co-wrote it with Nashville's Brett James and producer Walter Afanasieff, the producer of many of Whitney, Celine, and Mariah's best (or despised) ballads.
Coming from a UK talent show, it was inevitable that Leona would have to include a cover on her record, particularly when her champion is noted cover 'fan' Simon Cowell. And while Roberta Flack's "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" has been sung by many people, Leona does a very tastefull job with the vocally challenging song. There are power ballads on the record and then there's the power ballad to end all power ballads in the form of album closing "Footprints In The Sand." Surprisingly co-written by Cowell, who seemingly loves ballads as much as I do, the song is a reworking of the famous "Footprints..." poem. It works as a wonderful song of empowerment and likewise could be the song used to play when American Idol kicks a contestent off of the show each week. It's that kind of song. A "montage" song.
And that may prove to be the 'downful' of Leona Lewis' debut album. It's almost entirely ballads. So, if you are a pop music fan who loves ballads, you'll love this record. If you're looking for the latest T-Pain or Sean Kingston appearance, you'll probably be saddened (cause you know they are out there. I find it kind of refreshing to hear this record. Remarkable? Vocally, yes; content wise, no. In the end it's a very nice debut release from an artist that would've been discovered regardless. She really does have the "X-Factor."
Note: The U.S. release of the album will feature two songs recorded in 2008, in order to help the album appeal more to an American audience: "Forgive Me", which was written and produced by Akon, and "Misses Glass" written by Madd Scientist and RockCity.
Every once in a while, an artist comes along whose talent is so undeniable that it inspires everyone who encounters it. British singer and songwriter ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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